Fluid pump



J. J. COLBERT April 13, 1954 FLUID PUMP 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 18,1949 April 13, 1954 J. J. COLBERT FLUID PUMP Filed May 18, 1949 2Sheets-Sheet 2 mm R M6 0 5 w V G mm A .iiu Z 3 W i x L Patented Apr. 13,1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLUID PUMP Jeremiah J. Colbert, St.Joseph, M0.

Application May 18, 1949, Serial No. 93,927

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to a fluid pump including in combination thediaphragm principle utilized in conventional pumps, as well as theprinciple of piston action or drive commonly found in other types ofsimilar constructions, and is a continuation in part of my co-pendingapplication, Serial No. 689,157, filed August 8, 1946, and entitledPressure Water System, now abandoned.

It is the most important object of the present invention to provide afluid pump that is relatively small yet compact and eflicient in itsoperation in that the same is capable of producing a continuous flow offluid and operates at a capacity that equals many more complicated,large and expensive pumps presently in use.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a fluidpump having a compartmented, hollow body wherein one wall thereofconstitutes a flexible diaphragm separated by a partition that presentsthe compartments of the body, the diaphragm having two means for flexingthe same, one on each side of the partition and the two portions of thediaphragm flexing in alternating opposite directions when the pump is inuse. 7

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a fluidpump of the above mentioned type, wherein the two compartments orcylinders covered by the diaphragm, receive fluid from a common inletpipe and discharge such fluid through a common outlet pipe, there beingprovided a number of chambers and passageways, together with a pluralityof check valves, all novelly arranged to permit such operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fluid pumpwherein the two cylinders of the pump head are each provided with aninlet and outlet valve, the two inlet valves communieating with an inletpipe and the two outlet valves communicating with an outlet pipe wherebya continuous flow is established and oncethe pump is placed inoperation, the same will not get out of prime.

Other more minor objects will be made clear or become apparent as thefollowing specification progresses, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a side elevational view of a fluid pump made in accordancewith my present invention, parts being broken away for clearness.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof, parts being broken away and insection to reveal details of construction.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view 2 taken on line III-III ofFig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken on line IV--IV ofFig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, detailed, cross-sectional view taken on lineV-V of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 6 is an enlarged, elevational view showing one end of one of thepiston rods per se.

A horizontal support [0, is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of thedrawings, having a plurality of legs I2. up-standing panel I4 upon whichis mounted a 'base I6 for an electric motor or like prime mover [8.

The panel M has a pair of outwardly extending perforated lugs l9 at theuppermost edge thereof for receiving complementary lugs 20 on theproximal edge of the base l6.

Pivot pins 22 interconnect proximal lugs l9 and 20 for swingablymounting base l6 upon panel I4 of support ID. The base l6, therefore,overlies the support ID in spaced relationship thereabove and that endof base I6 opposite to the hinged mounting therefor, is supported by anup-standing bolt 24 carried by the support l0, bolt 24 slidablyreceiving the base l6 itself and it being provided with a pair ofopposed nuts 26 and 28 for adjustably receiving base 16.

Support It) carries a pair of spaced apart bearings 30 and 32 forrotatably receiving an elongated shaft 34. Shaft 34 in turn receives apair of spaced apart eccentrics, one only of which is illustrated inFig. 6 of the drawing and designated by the numeral 36. The eccentrics36 receive heads 38 and 40 of a pair of spaced piston rods 42 and 44respectively. Rods 42 and s4 extend toward the plate [4 in perpendicularrelationship to the shaft 34 and terminate within a hollow body. broadlydesignated by the numeral 46.

Shaft 34 is provided with a sheave 48 that is in turn operably connectedwith drive pulley 56 of motor 18 through the medium of a continuous belt52. The hollow body 46 is elliptically-shaped as is a portion of thepanel 14 to which body 46 is secured through the medium of a pluralityof bolts 54.

The panel 14 is provided with a pair of open ings 56 and 58 for clearingthe rods 42 and 44 respectively. Hollow body 46 is divided into a pairof compartments 60 and 62 in alignment with openings 56 and 58respectively by a partition 63, the two compartments 60 and 62 beingcircular as shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive. The open face of thecompartments 60 and 62 proxi- Support I!) is L-shaped to present an 3mal to the panel I4 is covered by a continuous flexible diaphragm 64that is interposed between the hollow body 46 and the panel I4, therebyalso closing the openings 56 and 58 in panel I4. Accordingly, thediaphragm 64 is held in place through the medium of the bolts 54.

Piston rod 42 is provided with a pair of spaced apart discs 66 and 68disposed on opposite sides of the diaphragm 64, the disc 66 being withincompartment 60 and the disc 68 being'exteriorly thereof. Discs 66 and 68are threadably received by the proximal end of the rod 42 and are heldin tight clamping relationshi with respect to the diaphragm 64 by a nutI0.

It is to be noted that the diameters of discs 66 and 68 are slightlyless than the diametersof compartments 60 and the adjacent opening 56 inpanel I4. The circumferential edges I2 of discs 66 and 68 are roundedand the sides of these discs 66 and t8 converge as the edge I2 isapproached; Thus, as is particularly clear" in Fig. 3 of the drawings,the identical discs66 and 68 have substantially dome-shaped innermostand outermost faces and these faces each: consist of a flat, centralsurface and a beveled, marginal surface that surrounds the flat surfacethereof. The two beveled surfaces of each of the discs 66 and 68,converging as the roundededge I2 is approached, present a working orflexing space for the diaphragm 6.4- between the discs 66 and 68 as isclear inv Fig. 3. The innermost,

flat surfaces of the. discs are clamped tightly against the diaphragm64' when the nut. is drawn tightly against the, disc. $6, and thediaphragm 04 engages the proximal marginal edges of the discsalternately as the piston. rod 42reciprocates. Accordingly, whenthepiston rod. 42. reciprocates through rotation of shaft 34 and'by virtueof the eccentric 35, that portion of the diaphragm covering compartment60. and opening 55, will flex to afford the pumping action. Theparticular formation of the discs 66 and 68 afford protection for thediaphragm 64, render ing the same long-lasting and not likelyv to wearat the points of flex.

Obviously, the piston rod 44 is likewisepro,

vided with a pair'of discs 74 and 76 of identical. formation to discsfitand 68 and'held in place by a nut 78 adjacent compartment 52' andopening 58.

A hollow member, broadly designated by the numeral 80, is formedintegrally with the hol low body 46 and disposed in partial overlyingrelationship thereto. The hollow member 80" is divided into a pair ofpassages 82 and 84 by a portion 86 of the partition 63; and bottom wall88, common to the passages 82' and 84 is provided with a pair ofopenings'eil and 92'.

Opening 90 places the passage 82 into direct communication with thecompartment 60- on one side of the partitiontIi-fit and openingSZ-placeS the passage 34 in register with the compartment 52 on theopposite side of partition 63-85.

An external arcuate' web d integ-ral with the partition 63-86 providessupporting'means for that part of the hollow member 60 that extendsoutwardly beyond the hollow body 4-6.

A- hollow case broadly designated by the numeral 9t overlies the hollowmember 89' and is secured directly thereto through the medium of aplurality of bolts 98. Case efiisdivided intoa pair of air chambers Hi0andv I02 by a vertical dividing wall I 04 that is disposed-in a. plantthat is perpendicular to a plane through: the

partition 63--86 and the web 94; The aiiichamav her I00 of case 96 isprovided with an inlet pipe I06 adapted to connect with a source offluid to be pumped (not shown).

The air chamber I02 has an outlet pipe I08 that may lead to a point ofdelivery of the fluid to be pumped.

A valve plate III} is interposed between the case 96 and the member 80,forming the bottom wall of the former and the top wall of the twopassages 82 and 84 of member 80.. The plate H0 is provided withfouropeni'ngs, two of which communicate with the chamber I00 and theother two of which communicate with the chamber I02. These openings areprovided with check valves H2, H4, H6 and H8 respectively. The valvesjust mentioned are of identical character in that the same are providedwith a resilient disc I20, reciprocably mounted on a stem I22 andyieldably held in the closed position through the medium of a spring I24coiled about the stem I22. Furthermore, the plate I-I0 has an air'ventslot I 26. adjacent each disc I 20 respectively-..

The two valves H2 and II4- are-disposedin the manner illustrated in Fig.5' showing valve" H2. only. In other words, the discs I20 of valves: H2and II 4 are within the passages 82- and 84 respectively. Fig. 5 alsoillustrates valve' I I0 and the manner in which both valves II 6" andH8: have their discs I20 within-.thechamben I02. It is clear therefore,that the check valves :II2 and H4 will permit passage of. liquid:in-on'ly' one direction, i. e. from chamber I 00to themembers 80. In thesame-manner, check' valves H6 and: H8 will permit passage of: fluid onlyfrom the member to the chamber I02;

The passageways 82 and 84.- are. provided with check valves I28and'I30respectivelyin theusual manner for admittance of air underpressure;

. flow downwardly through valve- I-I'2 into passageway 82 throughopening 'andintocompart-- ment 60. On the=pumping stroke,piston rod '42will move that part of' diaphragm 64 associated" therewith inwardly ofthe compartment BIL to force such liquid in the'compartment 60 out--wardly through opening Bil-and into the chamber I02 by way. of valvev IIfi for ultimateflow tea point of use by way of outlet I08.

The portionof'diaphragm M joined to rod' 44 operates in .thesame manneruti1izing.iinlet'clieck' valve .5 it and outletcheck valve H8.

'It is clear from the foregoing that a continu-- ous flow. of fluid'from inlet I06 to outlet I08 takes .place once the fluid pumpi'splacedinopew ation and that priming. Will takeplacewnlyto initiallystart thexpumping: action. The stroke ofrthe pistons 42; short asillustrated and the speed may be adjusted; by: use: of: the support 24.and

the comparts 60 and 62of:'the; hollow I8 is energized i and 44 willbeireciprocatedrbeoauseofithein and? 44' need only: be 1 relatively ofshaft 34- through proper selection of pulleys 48 and 50. Through use ofa single diaphragm 64 there is a more positive assurance that the samewill stay in place between the body 46 and the panel 14 since anypulling action will be compensated by opposite portions of diaphragm 64corresponding to rods 42 and M respectively,

The entire pump is easily manufactured and is extremely compact andarranged in a manner to provide balance and symmetry not only inappearance but in operation and handling.

While only one modification of the pump has been illustrated anddescribed, the same is manifestly subject to many changes andmodifications and those that fairly come within the scope of theappended claim, are contemplated hereby.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent is:

In a fluid pump, a hollow body having a compartment provided with a pairof opposed walls, a flexible diaphragm forming one of said walls of thecompartment, and a fluid opening communicating with the compartment; areciprocable piston rod extending through the diaphragm; and meansattaching the piston rod to the diaphragm including a pair of opposeddiscs mounted on the piston rod and having the diaphragm clampedtherebetween, said discs each having a transversely roundedcircumferential edge and a pair of opposed, substantially domeshapedfaces, presenting a pair of opposed, flat central surfaces and a pair ofopposed, beveled, marginal surfaces surrounding the flat surfaces andconverging as said edges thereof are approached, each disc having one ofits flat surfaces engaging the diaphragm.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 2,083,073 Loeber June 8, 1937 2,117,563 McMillan May 17, 19381,157,132 Joy May 9, 1939 2,240,371 Linch Apr. 29*, 1941 2,491,230 TheisDec. 13, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 267,962 Italy Sept.27, 1929 322,117 Italy -1 Oct. 29, 1934 958,262 France Mar. 6, 1950

